Rotherham United: Warne to bring in helping hand

Fitness coach Warne will be in charge of the team for the first time tomorrow when they travel to Burton Albion in the Championship.

He expects to hold the reins for several games and has already made an approach, sanctioned by chairman Tony Stewart, to an experienced coach who he hopes will be in place in a matter of days.

Warne has been taking first-team training with the help of Matt Hamshaw, who has impressed after being promoted from his Academy duties, and goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble.

“It needs another body,” he said. “I have someone in mind and have spoken to them.”

The Millers, 11 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, are looking to end a run of 14 matches with a win when they face 19th-placed Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.

Jackett stunned the club on Monday when he quit just five matches into a three-year contract after taking one point from a possible 15.

Stand-in skipper Richard Wood says Warne, a hugely popular figure in the Rotherham camp, has already made has mark and would be love to see the 43-year-old take the job until the end of the season.

“Of course I would be happy,” Wood said. “He’s very good on the training good and in the team meetings. He speaks very well and knows what he is on about and it rubs off on the lads.

“Everyone is receptive to what he says. His whole demeanour is very good. I don’t see why not, but it is not up to me. I think it depends on results and what the chairman wants to do.

“At this sort of club, you need a passionate guy who knows what the club is all about.

“Warney has spoken a lot of sense since he has come in and it is going to be interesting over the next few weeks.”

“Of course I would be happy, He’s very good on the training good and in the team meetings, he speaks very well and knows what he is on about and it rubs off on the lads. Everyone is receptive to what he says, his whole demeanour is very good. I don’t see why not, but it is not up to me. I think it depends on results and what the chairman wants to do.

“At this sort of club, you need a passionate guy who knows what the club is all about.

Stewart was today taking stock of more than 40 applications as Rotherham begin to compile their shortlist but he is in no hurry to make an appointment.

The Millers are still without regular captain Lee Frecklington, who has aggravated his ankle injury in training, while Greg Halford has been ruled out until the New Year, also with an ankle issue.

But they have been boosted by the news that Jon Taylor and Joe Newell are available and that goalkeeper Lee Camp is expected to overcome a knock to his knee.

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